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Monday, March 3, 2014

Vatican City, 3 March 2014 (VIS) –
The Italian Federation of Spiritual Exercises (FIES) celebrates the
fiftieth anniversary of its foundation and to commemorate the
occasion the Pope received in audience two hundred of its members.

The theme chosen by the FIES for the
assembly is “Enamoured by spiritual beauty to spread the fragrance
of Christ”, a theme which, according to Pope Francis, “expresses
the conviction that proposing the spiritual exercises means an
invitation to an experience of God, of His love and beauty. He who
lives the Exercises in an authentic way experiences the attraction
and the appeal of God, and returns renewed, transformed in ordinary
life, in ministry, in daily relationships, bringing with him the
fragrance of Christ”.

“Men and women need to meet God, to
know him 'not by hearsay'. “Your service is entirely orientated
towards this, and you accomplish this by providing space and time for
listening intensely to the Word in silence and prayer. Special places
for this spiritual experience are offered by the Houses of
Spirituality which, for this reason, are supported by appropriate
staff. I encourage the Pastors of the various communities to ensure
that there is no lack of Houses for Spiritual Exercises, where well
trained workers and prepared preachers, endowed with doctrinal and
spiritual qualities, are true masters of the spirit”.

“However, we must never forget that
the true agent of spiritual life is the Holy Spirit, Who supports our
initiatives for good and our prayers. … A good course of Spiritual
Exercises contributes to renewing, in those who participate, an
unconditional adhesion to Christ and a help in understanding that
prayer is the irreplaceable means of union with Christ crucified”,
concluded the Holy Father.